{"id":2812,"date":"2025-03-12T10:43:20","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T02:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.silkdivas.com\/blog\/?p=2812"},"modified":"2025-04-01T14:29:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T06:29:07","slug":"unlocking-the-song-dynasty-peoples-ways-of-enjoying-flowers-in-spring-wear-flowers-in-ones-hair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.silkdivas.com\/blog\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/unlocking-the-song-dynasty-peoples-ways-of-enjoying-flowers-in-spring-wear-flowers-in-ones-hair\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlocking the Song Dynasty People’s Ways of Enjoying Flowers in Spring–Wear Flowers in One’s Hair\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spring has arrived before we knew it. Many parts of China are currently experiencing a cold snap after the onset of spring. After this cold spell, numerous flowers will bloom, and it’ll be a great time to visit gardens and parks. But aside from these common ways of enjoying flowers, how did people in the Song Dynasty, a time of prosperous commercial economy in ancient China, appreciate flowers? Now, let’s step into the Song – era society where everyone had a passion for flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2160. Wearing Flowers in One’s Hair<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u7c2a\u82b1\u201d means adorning the head with fresh flowers or flowers made from other materials. In ancient times, men not only applied hanfu makeup<\/a> but also wore flowers on their heads. The beauty of flowers was widely recognized during that era, and the custom of wearing flowers was practiced by both men and women. Shen Kuo of the Northern Song Dynasty recorded the story of “Four Prime Ministers Wearing Flowers (\u300a\u56db\u76f8\u7c2a\u82b1\u300b)”. In the fifth year of the Qingli (\u5e86\u5386) reign (1045 AD), when Han Qi (\u97e9\u7426) was the governor of Yangzhou, there was a peony named “Golden Belt” in the back garden of the government office. This peony had four branches. Han Qi invited Wang Gui, Wang Anshi, and Chen Shengzhi, who was passing by temporarily, to enjoy the flowers together. Each of the four men wore a “Golden Belt” peony, and later, all four of them became prime ministers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2161. The Evolution of the Flower – Wearing Custom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1, Tang Dynasty<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As early as the Tang Dynasty, there were records of the flower – wearing ceremony. At the “Qujiang Banquet” held to celebrate newly – passed – the – imperial – examination scholars, these scholars were required to wear flowers as a symbol of honor. Among them, the youngest “Tan Hua Lang (\u63a2\u82b1\u90ce, the Third Scholar in the Imperial Examination) ” was selected to ride through all the famous gardens in the capital city. This is where the lines “With heart elated, the steed runs at full speed; in one day, I view all the flowers of Chang’an” come from. Thus, in a sense, “flower – wearers” in the Tang Dynasty represented young talents and successful people. \ud83e\udd42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fun Fact: Why is the third – place finisher in the imperial palace examination in China called “Tanhua” ? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tanhua means pick flower in English, in the Tang Dynasty, young and energetic newly – passed – the – imperial – examination scholars were selected as “Tanhua Messengers”. They would ride around famous gardens to pick flowers. Starting from the Song Dynasty, the third – place finisher in the imperial palace examination was officially named “Tanhua”, and this title has been fixed ever since.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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2, Song Dynasty<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Song Dynasty, from emperors and nobles to commoners and even criminals, both men and women could wear flowers to match their hanfu<\/a>. Everyone seemed to have a garden of the four seasons on their heads. There were rules regarding the seasons for wearing flowers. For example, in early summer, “jasmine filled the head”, and in spring, “peach blossoms set off each other”. Also, the flowers needed to match the overall look harmoniously. In terms of craftsmanship, the people of the Song Dynasty pursued delicacy and beauty. Women’s flower – adorned headdresses could be as elaborate as mountains or towers, and various artificial flowers were so lifelike that they could pass for real ones. Even at some large – scale celebration events, the emperor would bestow flowers for ministers to wear on their heads. These ministers had to personally wear these flowers back home. If they didn’t wear them or let their servants wear them, they would be punished accordingly. \ud83d\ude45\ud83c\udffb<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Southern Song Dynasty, flower – wearing became a ritual system. “Peony, rose, and peony blossoms all bloom on the hats of thousands of officials.” Officials of different ranks were bestowed corresponding flowers, which was elegant and full of poetry. Just imagine going to work and wearing peonies and peonies as if they were some kind of divine work badges!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the Song Dynasty, officials of different ranks were bestowed corresponding flowers. The specific details are as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n